October 20, 2015

Sixteen of My Favorite Skincare Products for Babies & Toddlers

When I first became a new mom, I made it a mission to find the perfect skincare products for my son, especially since he has super sensitive skin. I know how overwhelming it can be as a parent to find high-quality products for little ones. There's so much to choose from, and we all want the best for our children. Plus, you never know what you'll find in the ingredient lists these days.

From washes to ointments to creams, I've tried a lot of different products – some that were winners and some that didn't quite make the cut. I have went ahead and compiled a list of my absolute favorite must-have skincare products for babies and toddlers and why I think they're so great!

SOAPS, SHAMPOOS, AND OTHER CLEANSERS

1- TruBaby Eczema Soothing Hair and Body Wash: I really like TruBaby/TruKid products, and this one is my frequent go-to wash for my son's very sensitive skin. I needed something that wouldn't irritate him - a product that might even help clear up dry skin, particularly through the harsh winter months. TruBaby Eczema Soothing Hair and Body Wash has been wonderful for that. It's fragrance-free, all-natural, and probably one of the most gentle baby washes that I have ever used. If you have a baby/toddler with even the most sensitive skin, then I highly recommend this wash.

2- Mustela Foam Shampoo for Newborns: Of all baby shampoos that I've tried, the Mustela Foam Shampoo for Newborns is my absolute favorite! Mustela products do have a more intense fragrance (I personally think they smell fabulous!). Even so, they have never irritated my son's skin. This shampoo is actually quite gentle and even tear-free. Although it's considered a "newborn" shampoo, I personally think it also works great for toddlers. The pump style of the bottle is convenient and the amount dispersed is very controlled, which makes one bottle last a really long time.

3- SheaMoisture Olive & Marula Baby Head-to-Toe Wash & Shampoo with Avocado & Shea Butter: This is my favorite baby wash product from SheaMoisture (although, they do make others that are also great). It isn't exactly tear-free, although I've personally never had an incident where it had bothered my son's eyes. It has a very light appealing scent and is gentle enough that it has never irritated his skin. It's also natural, which is always a plus in my book!

4- Mustela Physiobebe Cleansing Fluid: This is a product that I highly recommend to any parent out there! Babies and toddlers can get messy, whether eating or playing. This is a no-rinse cleanser that offers a quick clean up in a snap (and it smells lovely). We like to call it "Baby Windex," of course this is completely safe for little ones and doesn't contain any harmful chemicals. It's also great for diaper blowouts, which can sometimes get a little out of hand, if you know what I mean. I even keep a little bottle of it in my the car for when we're on the go, since it offers a nice alternative to using baby wipes. The Physiobebe Cleansing Fluid is seriously one of the best baby skincare inventions out there. I honestly love this stuff!

5- TruBaby Bubbly Baby Body & Hair Wash: This product is really a baby and hair wash, but I like to throw a few squirts in the water to make a fun bubble bath that doesn't contain any harsh ingredients. It has a sweet citrus scent and is very gentle on delicate skin. If you have a little one that loves bubble baths, then this is a nice product to get.

6- Mustela Facial Cleansing Cloths: Another great product like the Physiobebe Cleansing Fluid, especially for when you're on the go. My only complaint is that they only put 25 in pack. For the price, I wish the quantity was a little more. Other than that, they're great and totally worth it, since they're gentle on sensitive skin and work like a charm to clean up those sweet little faces.

MOISTURIZERS

7- TruBaby Sweet Eczema Baby Cream: I put this one right up there with the TruBaby Eczema Soothing Hair and Body Wash. If you own the wash, then you are going to definitely want to pair it up with the cream. This stuff is amazing! Whenever my son's skin gets irritated from the harsh cold weather, this is my go-to lotion. It's natural, has no fragrance, and is very gentle. It does a wonderful job at soothing dry skin. If your little one has very sensitive skin, then this cream and the TruBaby Sweet Eczema Baby Cream and Eczema Soothing Hair and Body Wash are two products that you're going to want to pick up.

8- SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Baby Healing Lotion: What can I say, I love this lotion! SheaMoisture puts out a lot of great skincare products for both babies and adults. This is another one that I keep coming back to. It smells amazing and does a great job at moisturizing my son's skin without leaving it feeling greasy. I even sneak a few pumps of lotion for myself every now and then.

9- Burt's Bees Baby Bee Nourishing Baby Oil: Baby oil is baby oil, right? Well, yes and no. I have always been a fan of Burt's Bees products, even for myself (I love their güd lotions for adults, but that is for another post). This is a very gentle and lightweight oil that absorbs nicely. It also has a soft sweet fragrance that's not overbearing and very enjoyable. The bottle is on the smaller side, but a little goes a long way, so it seems to last a while. I personally like using it with a wash cloth to gently wipe away excess food messes from the face and hands.

10- Babo Botanicals Oatmilk Calendula Moisturizing Baby Lotion: This is another baby skincare runner up that I wanted to mention. It has a sweet fragrance that is quite pleasant. I originally tried this product for the oatmilk and calendula ingredients, which are sought to be soothing. It's very gentle and the texture is really light. It also makes a nice product for adult use.

FIRST AID, OINTMENTS, AND BALMS

11- Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream (SPF 30): Sunscreen is a must when it comes to protecting our children's skin from those nasty UV rays. As a new mother at the time, I was overwhelmed with the task of trying to find a sunscreen that didn't contain harmful chemicals and ingredients. At the same time, I wanted to get something that was going to do a good job at protecting my son's skin. If you can believe it, I was actually quite stressed out about the decision! I knew I had to find something. It took a lot of research, but I ultimately decided to go with Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream. With all natural and certified organic ingredients, to this day it has been the one and only sunscreen that I have used on my little one. I'm still impressed with how well it works! We've been to the beach, the zoo, the State Fair, and endless BBQ's in the blazing hot sun, and my son has never developed a burn. Now it is very thick and takes a bit of effort to rub in, but the fact that it's safe and does an amazing job at protecting my son's skin makes it totally worth it!

12- TruKid First Aid Hero Stick: Itchies and ouchies are no match for the TruKid Hero Stick. This is 100% natural and has a soft herbal fragrance that I love. The product comes in an actual roll-on stick (kind of like a large lip balm). When there is a little scratch or bug bite that needs tending to, we wash the area and swipe the Hero Stick on to let it do its magic!

13- Mustela Soothing Comfort Balm: If you are looking for an alternative to vapor rub for congestion (although Vicks makes a nice baby one that's safe) or something that offers a natural calming effect, then this is a good product to have. We didn't rely on it too much, but would try it once in a while. It contains all sorts of herbal extracts that smell lovely. It also does a nice job at relaxing little ones. Remember never to use anything with eucalyptus or camphor (ingredients found in traditional adult vapor rubs). While they may be okay for adults, they can be very harmful to young children and babies.

14- Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment: This is not as natural as some of the other products mentioned here, but still very safe for babies. We don't use it in excess, but it is very helpful to have. If your little one ever has areas of severe dry skin or chafing, then this is a good product to keep on hand. It comes in both a squeeze bottle and a jar. I prefer the squeeze bottle, since it disperses more conveniently. Smart Shopping Tip: The Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment is actually the exact same product as the regular Aquaphor Healing Ointment, only with a cuter logo. While there isn't a significant price difference, I sometimes find the regular Healing Ointment costs less than the one labeled with "Baby."

15- Boudreaux's Butt Paste and 16- A&D Ointment: We are blessed with very minimal occasions of diaper rash, but little irritations do sometimes happen. I typically use these two products to tackle the issue if it happens. They're two completely different types of products, one is a paste and the other is an ointment, but both work very well for the same purpose. Again, not 100% natural, but completely safe for occasional medicinal purposes.

Like this post? If you've also used these products or have another product recommendation in the baby/children skincare category, I'd love to hear about it. Please chime in, below.

I was not given any free/complimentary products or samples for this post, nor was I compensated in any other way. I've actually personally purchased these items out-of-pocket, and used them over a course of time. Whenever I purchase a product that I feel strongly about, I enjoy sharing my experience with others who may find the information helpful. While I did include some affiliate links from Amazon in this post, I felt that doing so would offer a way for my readers a convenient way to find the product and possibly at a competitive price.

This post may include affiliate links, however all views expressed here are purely my own. Please feel free to review my disclosure policy for further information.